Which item in the list below is most responsible for storm surge during a hurricane?
A.
Water mounding caused by a hurricane's low pressure center
B.
The strong horizontal surface winds in the hurricane push water ashore
C.
Heavy precipitation in the hurricane rain bands
D.
Hurricanes produce warmer ocean temperatures
E.
Hurricanes produce tornadoes over the ocean, which carry water ashore
The item in the list most responsible for storm surge during a hurricane is B. The strong horizontal surface winds in the hurricane push water ashore.
To determine which item in the list is most responsible for storm surge during a hurricane, we need to consider the characteristics of storm surge and its causes.
Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, typically a hurricane, over and above the predicted astronomical tide. It can result in severe flooding in coastal areas and is considered one of the most dangerous and damaging aspects of a hurricane.
Now, let's examine the options:
A. Water mounding caused by a hurricane's low-pressure center: While the low-pressure center of a hurricane contributes to storm surge, it is not the primary factor responsible for its generation. The low pressure can cause water to mound in the center of the storm, but this effect alone does not account for the extensive and dangerous coastal flooding associated with storm surge.
B. The strong horizontal surface winds in the hurricane push water ashore: This option is a major contributor to storm surge. As a hurricane approaches the coast, its strong winds push the surface waters towards the shore, causing a bulge of water to accumulate and create storm surge.
C. Heavy precipitation in the hurricane rain bands: While heavy precipitation is a characteristic of hurricanes, it is not directly responsible for storm surge. Precipitation can lead to inland flooding, but it does not cause the significant rise in coastal water levels associated with storm surge.
D. Hurricanes produce warmer ocean temperatures: Warmer ocean temperatures do not directly cause storm surge. Although they may play a role in the formation and intensification of hurricanes, storm surge is primarily driven by wind and atmospheric pressure factors.
E. Hurricanes produce tornadoes over the ocean, which carry water ashore: While tornadoes can occur within hurricanes, they are not the main cause of storm surge. Tornadoes typically have a localized effect and do not generate the widespread coastal flooding associated with storm surge.
Based on this analysis, the item in the list most responsible for storm surge during a hurricane is option B: The strong horizontal surface winds in the hurricane push water ashore. These winds pile up water along the coast, leading to the development of storm surge.